RoadVitals

2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Aug 1, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK230, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes1333.3%
  • Visibility717.9%
  • Exterior lighting410.3%
  • Fuel system25.1%
  • Engine12.6%
  • Body & structure12.6%
  • Airbags12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE ESC ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID 11241028 · filed Aug 1, 2019

THE CAR ENGAGES THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH.

NHTSA ID 11208370 · filed May 17, 2019
All 13 reports naming brakes

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE ESC ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID 11241028 · filed Aug 1, 2019

HE ENGINE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO COAST TO A CORNER AND GET OFF THE MAIN STREET, THERE WAS NO WARNING.I HAD TO LEAVE THIS CAR FOR ONE DAY TO FIND IT TOWED BY POLICE , AND HAD TO CALL AND GET IT THE NEXT DAY PAYED 300$ AND GET IT TOWED AGAIN TO A MECANIC PAYED 85$ AND 100$ FOR CHECKING. THE MECANIC TOLD ME IT LOOK LIKE IT HAVE BIG PROBLEM, I DICEDED TO SEE A PROFITIONEL AND SO I HAD TO PAY AN OTHER TOWING FEE OF 80$ AND AN OTHER 110$ FOR CHECKING TO FIND OUT THAT THE HALL ENGINE JUST DAMAGED AND TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW ONE THAT WILL COST ME 3500$.

NHTSA ID 11140508 · filed Oct 15, 2018
All 10 reports naming driver assistance

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE TYPE IS 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID 10567829 · filed Mar 7, 2014

THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2001 MERCEDES SLK230 (R170 MODEL) IS AN SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT, CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING FEATURE TO FAIL. SO BASICALLY, I'M BLINDED BY APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS WHENEVER I DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY FIX IS TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY AND LOSE MY REAR VIEW (WHICH AFTER ALL IS THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR!) I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS. I CONTACTED THE OEM MIRROR MAKER AND THEIR ONLY SUGGESTION WAS TO HAVE MY DEALER INSTALL A NEW MIRROR AT A COST OF $300-400. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10365619 · filed Nov 14, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN I START UP MY VEHICLE AN INDICATOR FOR A LIGHT OUT APPEARS ON MY DASH. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES FOR A RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS RECOMMENDED TO LOOK ON YOUR WEB SIGHT AND I SAW THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED CAMPAIGN ID 05V505000 ON MY MAKE/MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER WHEN I PUT IN MY VIN NUMBER IT PRODUCED ZERO RECALLS. HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE HAS EVER HAD THE RECALL ISSUE CORRECTED? ALSO, WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THE ISSUE RECTIFIED?

NHTSA ID 11150316 · filed Nov 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A WARNING LIGHT SIGNALING THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V505000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 03/15/12 *BF

NHTSA ID 10450673 · filed Mar 7, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REFER TO YOUR COMPLAINT # ODI 10305858 I JUST RECEIVED. I HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. MY DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, AND I QUOTE FROM THE SERVICE RECORD: THERE IS APPX 3-SECOND DELAY WITH ACCELERATION THEN VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. 30 THROTTLE CONTROL, SPEED CONTROL SYSTEMS 2010 C 1 170-300-01-04 PEDAL 1 2010 D. HUBER 1 SOP TODAY TOTAL COST TO REPAIR BEFORE TAXES = $437.80 75806 1.4 PERFORM SHORT TEST, HAD CODE P2002 FOR GAS PEDAL SENSOR. TEST PEDAL SENSOR VALUES. FOUND VOLTAGE OUT OF PEDAL POTENTIOMETER TOO LOW. REPLACE GAS PEDAL. ERASE CODE. THERE IS YOU PROBLEM. IT IS NOT THE DRIVER. IT IS THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF ONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO AVOID TROUBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10319500 · filed Mar 14, 2010

I HAVE LESS THAN 50K MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TWICE AND NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME SERVICE NEEDED. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING IT IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SENSORS AND TAIL LIGHT, WHICH MERCEDES DID NOT REIMBURSE FOR ORIGINAL CHARGE, JUST RE- REPLACED. NOW PROBLEMS HAPPENING WITH REAR MIRROR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS MERCEDES SHOULD STAND BY THERE PRODUCT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOREVER AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10207936 · filed Nov 5, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HE ENGINE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO COAST TO A CORNER AND GET OFF THE MAIN STREET, THERE WAS NO WARNING.I HAD TO LEAVE THIS CAR FOR ONE DAY TO FIND IT TOWED BY POLICE , AND HAD TO CALL AND GET IT THE NEXT DAY PAYED 300$ AND GET IT TOWED AGAIN TO A MECANIC PAYED 85$ AND 100$ FOR CHECKING. THE MECANIC TOLD ME IT LOOK LIKE IT HAVE BIG PROBLEM, I DICEDED TO SEE A PROFITIONEL AND SO I HAD TO PAY AN OTHER TOWING FEE OF 80$ AND AN OTHER 110$ FOR CHECKING TO FIND OUT THAT THE HALL ENGINE JUST DAMAGED AND TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW ONE THAT WILL COST ME 3500$.

NHTSA ID 11140508 · filed Oct 15, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. WHILE IT WAS RAINING, WATER ENTERED INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CONTACT HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN STARTED UP AGAIN. THE CONTACT DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF AT THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE THREE OTHER MERCEDES THERE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE CONTACT PAID $1,600 TO HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.

NHTSA ID 10262414 · filed Mar 19, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 70 MPH IN WHICH DRIVER'S SIDE/ PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, AIR BAG SYSTEM INDICATED THAT ALL AIR BAGS DID INFLATE OR DEPLOYED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID 890286 · filed Jun 13, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .